‘Two reasons’ why WorkSafe hasn’t charged individuals over hotel quarantine

A workplace lawyer says he’s surprised WorkSafe hasn’t “gone after” individuals while laying 58 charges against the Department of Health over its bungled hotel quarantine program.

Mark Ritchie, founded of Workplace Wizards and Launch Legal, told Neil Mitchell there were likely two reasons why.

“Either the collective amnesia which befell all the participants at this March 2020 meeting when the scheme was devised and decisions were taken to get it up and going as quick as possible … given that collective amnesia, WorkSafe are in the same boat us as and can’t work out actually who is responsible for this scheme,” he explained.

“Or, secondly, it might be that WorkSafe, having a shown a willingness to go after directors and even small businesses, aren’t prepared to hold their colleagues in the Department of Health to the same standard as small businesses.”

Mr Ritchie said he was taken back by WorkSafe’s findings.

“It’s surprising, for mine, given the propensity that WorkSafe has for the private sector, and even small business, to go after the director and owner, that there is no person to be held individually liable here,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear him explain more

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